So this is environmental leadership?

We hear so much lip service about "sustainability, ecological awareness and environmental protection", but where is the real leadership? Leadership is not a sport of restating the obvious while the problems remain unchanged. No, leadership is about inspiring change.

One thing about the Zero Waste Park at Dairy Creek Golf Course is that it is inspiring real change in our county. The greatest change that we see is a growth in the awareness of zero waste as a principle for action in our everyday lives. The term "Zero Waste" trumps all other environmental catch phrases. Every environmental protection action possible falls under the umbrella of zero waste.

In the past 2 years since we began promoting zero waste in our county, there have been several local groups that have formed specifically to help raise zero waste awareness. A group of Rotarians in Morro Bay have pioneered an Eco-Rotary group whose members volunteer to process the trash at almost every large festival or event. They set up and host waste sorting stations around the events and then the hosts discuss zero waste strategies with the event goers as they present their party wastes for sorting. As a result of Eco-Rotarian actions, more and more local event planners are prioritizing zero waste as a signature part of their environmental stance.

The zero waste park is located at a county municipal golf facility, which many of you know. One thing that the county has realized through their partnership in the project is the value of doubling up on the utility of facilities that are already in place. We don't need a new piece of land upon which to provide services to our constituents. We can use a place we already own and maintain. Along this line, our golf superintendent Josh Heptig, has offered what is basically free land at Dairy Creek upon which to construct a permanent facility for junior golf and environmental awareness at Dairy Creek. The First Tee and Autobon International as well as our local integrated waste management authority are already making commitments to participate.

I could go on, but you get the picture.

This is environmental leadership.